(06-29-2009 01:46 PM)Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:  I wouldn't be choked up if there were no more band or cheerleaders. Regional public universities can't afford to have EVERYTHING in place. If the band or cheerleader units could be self-funded somehow, then fine. But the wisdom of using NIU financial resources or student fees in support of these two endeavors is silly in the economic environment we live in for public universities.

I like the band by the way. This opinion has nothing to do with the quality of band.

This is a double-edged sword however. If you don't have the band at football and basketball games, yeah you save some money. If you get rid of one, it should be the cheerleaders, because as tubaguy said, teh band is a hell of a lot louder and cheers much harder than they do. On a much lighter note, I bet the band could throw the t-shirts farther up into the stands than the cheerleaders could

However, if you get rid of the band, then who's going to cheer and make a ton of noise for the football team on those damned Tuesday and Wednesday night games that nobody likes? Who's going to shread the curtain of silence that would settle over every basketball game at the Convo? And...I'm willing to wager that over half of the students at NIU know the fight song and the alma mater only because the band plays them all the time at the games.

As many posters have said, NIU already tried to live without a marching band and that failed miserably. IMO, this decision's going to end up biting FIU in the @$$ at some point.

wait.....half of the students know the words to the fight song?!?!?

Let there be a volunteer jazz ensemble or something at basketball games. Why do you need a full band and the incumbent sizable financial support it requires? Ditto cheerleaders and the Silverettes.

The band at basketball games isn't that big, but they give a huge sound and are fun to watch at the basketball games. And they cheer the loudest. You can't replace them with a jazz ensemble....... or an orchestra or piano man or anything else. Pep band only. There is no way you can get rid of the band for football or basketball and not lose a lot.

(06-29-2009 09:10 PM)Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:  Let there be a volunteer jazz ensemble or something at basketball games. Why do you need a full band and the incumbent sizable financial support it requires? Ditto cheerleaders and the Silverettes.

PLEASE!!! I need SOMETHING to keep me awake at the games!!

(06-29-2009 01:46 PM)Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:  I wouldn't be choked up if there were no more band or cheerleaders. Regional public universities can't afford to have EVERYTHING in place. If the band or cheerleader units could be self-funded somehow, then fine. But the wisdom of using NIU financial resources or student fees in support of these two endeavors is silly in the economic environment we live in for public universities.

I like the band by the way. This opinion has nothing to do with the quality of band.

Good way to save a little money. While we are at it, why not eliminate all the music and art programs, English and literature, the classics, philosophy, physical education, and all intramurals and recreation activities. Oh yeah, let's get rid of all sports, too. Remember, they don't fit into the "academic mission of a regional public university."

I'll pull a quote form Mr. Holland's Opus...."Well, I guess you can cut the arts as much as you want, Gene. Sooner or later, these kids aren't going to have anything to read or write about."